Oak Harbor Urban Forest Public Survey

Introduction

Oak Harbor is working on our ﬁrst ever Urban Forest Management Plan and Tree Inventory. This project represents an important step in planning for a resilient urban forest that best supports our community’s needs.

The urban forest consists of all the trees, shrubs and vegetation within the City, including parks, along roadways, private yards and natural areas. A healthy and connected tree canopy helps make Oak Harbor a better place to live and visit. Caring for the urban forest is imperative to create a sustainable, healthy, vibrant city.

We want to hear from you!

Your participation is critical to the success of this project. The following survey consists of 25 questions to gather insights about your experiences with, and priorities related to trees in Oak Harbor.

The survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses will remain conﬁdential and will be used solely for the purpose of informing the goals and objectives of the new Urban Forest Management Plan.

If you are new to Urban Forestry, we have provided two resources below for context and additional information. These materials offer a quick overview of Urban Forestry and information about trees in Oak Harbor -

● “What is Urban Forestry"– US Forest Service (Video)

● City of Oak Harbor – “Caring for Oak Trees in Oak Harbor” information (website)

● Gary Oak tree protection code: Oak Harbor Municipal Code

We appreciate your time and input. Thank you for your participation and for contributing to the betterment of our city's urban forest.

Section 1: How do you interact with trees?

2.The thing(s) I appreciate most about trees in Oak Harbor is …. (select all that apply)

Trees provide shade and reduce heat impacts

Trees improve mental and physical health

Trees along streets help to slow traffic

Trees make it nicer to walk around

Trees help clean the air

Trees absorb rainwater, which can help reduce flooding

Trees increase property values

Trees provide food and habitat to local wildlife

Other

3.The thing(s) I find most challenging about the trees in Oak Harbor is … (select all that apply)

They are expensive to maintain properly

Cleaning up cones, flowers or leaves is difficult and time consuming

Tree roots interfere with underground pipes and utilities causing disruptions

I have concerns about the risk trees may pose to my home / family

Tree roots can damage sidewalks and create tripping hazards

Trees can block storefronts or signs, making it harder for businesses to be seen

Trees block scenic views (such as water or mountain views)

Other

4.Do you think the overall health and quality of Oak Harbor’s trees have improved, stayed the same or declined in the last 10 years?

Improved

Stayed the same

Declined

Unsure

Section 2: The Future of Oak Harbor’s Urban Forest

5.When it comes to PUBLIC trees (trails, parks, other public spaces), what should the City prioritize most? (Select one)

Maintaining existing public trees so they are healthy and safe

Planting more trees

Improving resilience to pests, disease, and climate change

Expanding volunteer opportunities to care for trees in public spaces

6.What should the City prioritize to help residents and businesses properly care for street trees? (Select one)

Clear maintenance standards and guidance for residents

Regular City inspections and pruning programs

Planting more street trees where space allows

Better coordination between the City and property owners

Improved species selection for long-term success

7.When it comes to PRIVATE trees (yards, businesses, HOAs), what should the City focus on most? (Select up to three)

Education on proper tree, selection, care, and maintenance

Clear guidance on when permits are required

Resource support for planting new trees on private property

Incentives or code changes for preserving mature trees

Assistance with pest and disease management

Clear expectations for public vs. private tree responsibilities

8.What best describes your vision for the future of Oak Harbor’s urban forest? (choose one)

Maintaining the existing trees

Increasing the number of trees

Reducing the total number of trees

I do not have a strong opinion about the future of Oak Harbor’s urban forest

Other

9.Where should the Oak Harbor community prioritize planting more trees as resources allow? (Select up to two)

Commercial street trees

Parks and public open spaces

Trails

Residential neighborhoods with fewer existing trees

Schools and community facilities

Shorelines, streams, and natural buffers

10.What factors should be most important when choosing priority planting locations? (Check all that apply)

Areas with low existing tree canopy

Areas that get very hot in summer

Routes people walk or bike (schools, downtown, transit)

Areas with flooding or stormwater issues

Neighborhoods with limited access to parks or green space

Opportunities to restore native habitat or support wildlife

Other

11.When you think of a “tree-friendly” new development, what matters most to you? (Check all that apply)

Preserving existing mature trees

Planting new trees that contribute to long-term canopy growth

Using native or climate-adapted tree species

Selecting trees with seasonal aesthetic interest

Providing enough space for tree roots and long-term health

Replacing trees that are removed during construction

Incentives for developers who exceed tree requirements

Long-term tree maintenance by property owners or HOAs

Other

12.How should the City address situations where residents want to trim or remove trees to improve scenic views (such as water or mountain views)? (Check all that apply)

Establish clear guidelines for view-related pruning

Prioritize tree retention over private views

Allow limited view pruning under specific conditions (permit, arborist review)

Develop a formal policy balancing tree protection and view access

Do not allow tree removal or topping for private views

Prioritize views over tree retention

I’m not sure

Other

13.What else would you like the City to consider about the current conditions and future planning for Oak Harbor’s Urban Forest? (Optional)

Section 3: Tree Policies and Protections

15.Do current City tree policies strike the right balance between private property rights and tree preservation? (Check one)

Yes

No – too restrictive

No – not restrictive enough

Unsure

17.What are the reasons you think the city should NOT implement a tree removal permit (for trees other than Garry Oaks)? (Select all that apply)

The city should not determine what property owners can do with their trees.

I’m concerned about the cost of the permit, and I might want to remove a tree someday.

I might want to alter my property, and a permit might interfere with my plans.

I do not support a permit, but I would support a required, free tree removal ‘notification’ instead so the city can track canopy loss.

I would support a permit if there were exemptions for hazard trees or other situations.

I would support a tree removal permit

18.Do you support the existing Garry Oak Tree Protection Code? (Check one)

Yes, they need all the protection they can get

Yes, but there should be exemptions or a way to mitigate if removal is needed

No, they disincentivize planting oaks because people are afraid they can’t be removed later

No, because people should be able to do what they want on their own property

Unsure

Other

Section 4: Your Experience in Oak Harbor
In this section, we aim to understand your connection with Oak Harbor and how that impacts shared experiences of the urban forest.

20.Which of the following best describes your current housing situation?

21.HOMEOWNER QUESTION - I have room to plant trees on my property, but I choose not to because: (Select all that apply)

Trees are expensive and time consuming to buy, water and maintain

I do not want to cause problems with my neighbor(s)

I do not want my home or yard to be shaded

I do not want to deal with the time, risk, or expense of managing a tree when it gets bigger

I want to use my yard for other things (gardening, recreation, etc.)

I am not sure how to start (lack of information/knowledge)

I do not want to block my view or my neighbor’s view

Other

Not applicable

22.HOMEOWNER QUESTION - I want to plant trees on my property, but haven’t yet because: (Select all that apply)

I do not know what type of tree to plant

I do not know where to buy a tree and/or I do not know how to properly plant it

I physically cannot manage to buy and plant a new tree

It is too expensive or time consuming to buy, water and maintain a tree

I don’t have any space

Other

Not applicable

23.HOMEOWNER QUESTION - I have thought about removing one or more trees from my property because: (Select all that apply)

Trees require too much maintenance

Trees block views I would like to keep open

Trees take up space I would prefer to use for other activities

I want to make space for other landscaping or improvements

I do not like the way the tree(s) look

The tree is unhealthy, a hazard, or invasive

Other

Not applicable

Section 5: About You

26.How would you best describe yourself? (choose all that apply)

Thank you....Stay tuned for updates on the progress of our Urban Forest Management Plan!